Hamlin Ends JGR drought

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Joe Gibbs Racing has capped a tumultuous seven days by picking up its first NASCAR Cup victory of the season.

Denny Hamlin held off pole-sitter Kyle Larson on the final laps to win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Hamlin took the lead with 33 laps left and held off the hard-charging Larson. Martin Truex Jr. was third, followed by Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick.

Kenseth's fourth-place finish comes days after JGR announced that he would be replaced by Erik Jones in the No. 20 next season.

Hamlin crashed the No. 11 Toyota in practice and was forced to race in a backup car. That didn't stop him from earning his 30th career victory and first since last September.